Control system of a coin-operated locker

ABSTRACT

A control system of a coin-operated locker or a rental locker which comprises coin detector detecting the insertion of coins into a coin inlet slot of the locker, a first counter for counting the number of coins detected by the coin detector, a second counter operating stepwise in correspondence to the completion of one operation of the locker, that is, from locking to unlocking of the locker and to the lapse of time, and a keyoperation locking device enabling the locker to be locked or unlocked only when output signals from the first and second counter correspond to each other, whereby unlike conventional rental lockers, it is not necessary to reset all of the control circuits thereof to their original or initial condition whenever the door of the locker is opened to take a piece of baggage or the like out of the locker.

Inoue et al.

Feb. 5, 1974 CONTROL SYSTEM OF A COIN-OPERATED LOCKER Inventors: Kolnei Inoue; Kazumi Yorisue;

Mitsuhiro Akamatsu, all of Himeji, Japan Glory Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Himeji-Shi, Hyogo-Ken, Japan Filed: Sept. 15, 1972 Appl. No.: 289,275

Assignee:

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Klaffky 194/1 N Primary Examiner-Stanley H. Tollberg Attorney, Agent, or Firm-John C. Holman et al.

[5 7] ABSTRACT A control system of a coin-operated locker or a rental locker which comprises coin detector detecting the insertion of coins into a coin inlet slot of the locker, a first counter for counting the number of coins detected by the coin detector, a second counter operating stepwise in correspondence to the completion of one operation of the locker, that is, from locking to unlocking of the locker and to the lapse of time, and a key-operation locking device enabling the locker to be locked or unlocked only when output signals from the first and second counter correspond to each other, whereby unlike conventional rental lockers, it is not necessary to reset all of the control circuits thereof to their original or initial condition whenever the door of the locker is opened to take a piece of baggage or the like out of the locker.

5 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures o I COM S 5 NO 3 CONTROL SYSTEM OF A COIN-OPERATED LOCKER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to coinoperated lockers and more particularly to a control circuit of the coin-operated lockers.

In a coin-operated locker of well-known type, whenever the door is opened to take a piece of baggage or the like out of the locker, all of the control means of the conventional coin-operated locker are reset back to their original or initial states so that the locker is ready for the next piece of baggage to be placed therein.

However, in the conventional coin-operated locker having such a resetting system as described above, its mechanism and circuits are so intricate as to cause erroneous operation and also trouble in use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, a first object of the present invention is to provide a new control system of a coin-operated locker in which the above-described drawbacks accompanying the conventional coin-operated locker are eliminated.

A second object of the invention is to provide a novel control system of a coin-operated locker in which the locker is not only locked but also set for a next piece of baggage to be put therein according to the inserting, removing and turning operations of the key.

A third object of the invention is to provide a control system of a coin-operated locker in which the locker is made ready for a next use without setting the control system back to its initial state.

A fourth object of the invention is to provide a coinoperated locker which is relatively simple in construction, therefore of low cost, and troubleless in operation.

A fifth object of the invention is to provide a control system of a coin-operated locker in which only when a counting output from a first counter counting the number of coins inserted into a coin inlet slot corresponds to that of a second counter which is operated in correspondence to the completion of one operation of the locker, that is, from locking the locker to unlocking the same, and to a time lapse signal, a key operation locking device enables the locker to be locked or unlocked.

A sixth object of the invention is to provide a control system of a coin-operated locker in which the key is rendered turnable by an output signal of an OR gate which is operated by the logical sum of the output signals from a number of AND gates, which are also operated by the logical sums of counting output signals from a first counter and a second counter.

A seventh object of the invention is to provide a control system of a coin-operated locker in which rotary type switches are employed as counters which store the number of coins put in a coin inlet slot and the lapse of time, and an electromagnet is connected in series with the combination of the counters thereby to enable the key to be turned for locking or unlocking the locker.

An eighth object of the present invention is to provide a control system of a coin-operated locker in which a key-operation-locking device is provided with detecting means adapted to detect the insertion and removal of the key whereby an electrical magnet is energized only when the key inserted in its key hole is turned for locking or unlocking the locker.

A ninth object of the present invention is to provide a control system of a coin-operated locker which comprises a bistable memory which changes its state in accordance with a setting signal produced by signals due to detection of the turning of the key for locking the locker and the removal of the key and a resetting signal produced by signals due to detection of the insertion of the key and the turning of the key for unlocking the locker and a pulse generating circuit producing a pulse when the bistable memory is changed from its setting conditions to its resetting conditions.

The foregoing object and other objects of the present invention will be better understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is an electrical circuit diagram of one embodiment of the present invention in which counters are composed of rotary type switches;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating another embodiment of the present invention in which gate circuits are employed; and

FIG. 3 is an electrical circuit diagram showing the control system of FIG. 2 in greater and more specific detail.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In one example of a control system according to this invention as shown in FIG. 1, direct current power source terminals 1 and 2 are connected respectively to the positive and negative terminals of a dc. power source. A counting switch 3 serving to change over its connection whenever a coin is inserted into a coin inlet slot, contact means 5 of a relay 4, and a coil 7 of a rotary switch 6 used to set an amount of money are connected in series between the terminals 1 and 2. The movable contact or wiper 6 of the rotary switch 6 is connected to the terminal 1. Contacts 6 6 and 6 of the rotary switch 6 are connected together at one point,

' which is in turn connected to one end of a coil 9 which serves to actuate a counting rotary switch 8. The other end of the coil 9 is connected through the normally open switch 1 l of a relay 10 to the power source terminal 2.

One end of the coil 10 is connected to contacts 6 6 and 6 of the rotary switch 6, while the other end thereof is connected to the terminal 2. The coil 10 is shunted by the series circuit of a resistor 12 and a capacitor 13.

The contacts 8 8 8 8 8 and 8 of the rotary switch 8 are directly connected to the contacts 14,, 14 14 14 14 and 14 of another rotary type switch 14, respectively. The rotary switch 14 is operated so as to perform a day-shifting operation or an hour-shifting operation. In other words, the wiper of the rotary switch 14 is stepwisely moved from one contact to the next contact whenever a day or a predetermined hours pass. The wiper 8 of the rotary switch 8 is connected to the terminal 1, while the wiper 14 of the rotary switch 14 is connected to the terminal 2 through a resistor 15, a magnetic coil 16 and a switch 17. The magnetic coil 16 allows the key of the locker to be turned when the magnetic coil 16 is energized. The switch 17 is opened and closed by the insertion or removal of the key of the locker.

In addition, the series circuit of the resistor 15 and the magnetic coil 16 is shunted by another series circuit of a resistor 18 and the relay 4.

Furthermore, the terminals 1 and 2 are connected by the series circuit of a resistor 19, a switch 20 and a capacitor 21. The switch 20 is interlocked with the switch 17 and is also switched by the insertion or removal of the key. In addition, another series circuit of a switch 22 which is actuated by a day-shifting timer (not shown), a switch 23 which is actuated by the turning of the key, and a coil 24 which serves to stepwise move the wiper of the rotary switch 14, is connected between the terminals 1 and 2. In this connection, a closed loop circuit is formed by the switch 20, the capacitor 21, the coil 24 and the switch 23.

With reference to the switches 3, 17, 20, 22 and 23, the switching contacts indicated by black dots are normally-closed-contacts (NC), while the switching contacts indicated by white dots or small circles are normally-open-contacts (NO). The pole of the switch 3 is normally on its contact NC. The pole of the switch 3 is tripped to its contact NO when a coin is inserted into the coin slot. The poles of the switches 17 and 20 are tripped to their contacts NO by the insertion of the key. The pole of the switch 22 is tripped to its contact NO by a day-shifting timer or an hour-shifting timer at every specific interval of time. The pole of the switch 23 is tripped over to its contact NO by the turning of the key of the coin locker.

The control system of the coin-operated locker described above operates as follows. In this connection, it will be assumed that the rental charge for the use of the locker is two coins, for instance, two quarters (50 cents) for one predetermined period.

When the first coin (25 cents) is inserted into the coin slot, the pole of the counting switch 3 is tripped to its contact NO, as a result of which a circuit is formed by the terminal 1, the coil 7, the contact means 5, the contact N of the counting switch 3 and the terminal 2, and the wiper of the rotary switch 6 is therefore moved stepwise to be in contact with the contact 6 due to the energization of the coil 7. At the same time, the relay coil 10 is energized thereby to close the contact means 11 which is a normally-open-contact of the relay 10 as described above.

When the second coin 25 cents is inserted into the coin slot, the pole of the counting switch 3 is again thrown over to its contact NO and the wiper 6 of the rotary switch 6 is therefore moved stepwise to the contact 6 from the contact 6 At the same time, the current flowing to the relay 10 is interrupted, but the relay l0 maintains its energized condition for a while because a discharge circuit formed by the capacitor 13 and the resistor 12 shunts the relay 10.

As a result, an electric current flows through the coil 9, and the wiper 8 of the rotary switch 8 is therefore moved stepwise to the contact 8 Themsince the wiper 14 of the rotary switch 14 is kept connected to the contact 14 the rotary switches 8 and 14 are shortcircuited through their wipers.

When the coin-operated locker is not used, the key of the locker remains inserted in its key hole. Therefore, the poles of the switches 17 and 20 are switched over to their contacts NO. In addition, sincethe rotary switches 8 and 14 are short-circuited as described above, a current flows through the magnetic coil 16. As a result of which, it becomes possible to turn the key 4 and a current flows through the relay 4 thereby to open the contact means 5. Consequently, additional insertion of a coin into the coin slot is prevented.

Next, the door of the coin locker is opened, a piece of baggage is put in the locker, and the door is closed. Under this condition, when the key is turned to lock the locker, the pole of the switch 23 is thrown to the contact NC, and when the key is removed from the key hole, the poles of the switches 17 and 20 are moved over to their contacts NC, as a result of which the capacitor 21 is charged because a circuit of the resistor 19, the switch 20, and the capacitor 21 is formed between the terminals 1 and 2.

In the case where the baggage is to be taken out of the locker on the same day the baggage was placed therein, the insertion of the key into the key hole causes the poles of the switches 17 and 20 to be thrown over to their contacts NO, whereby the magnetic coil 16 is energized, and as a result, it becomes possible to turn the key inserted in the key hole.

The door of the coin-operated locker can now be opened by turning the key and the baggage can be taken out of the locker. At this time, by turning the key, the pole of the switch 23 is thrown over to its contact NO thereby to form the discharge circuit of the capacitor 21. Due to the discharge of the capacitor 21, the coil 24 is energized, whereby the wiper 14 of the rotary switch 14 is moved stepwise to the contact 14 Thus, the first use of the locker is completed.

If one day has passed without the baggage being taken out of the locker on the same day the baggage was put therein, the pole of the switch 22, which is driven by the day-shifting timer, is thrown over to its contact NO thereby to energize the coil 24, and as a result, the wiper 14 of the rotary switch 14 is moved stepwise to the contact 14 Similarly, when another day has passed, the wiper 14 advances to the contact 14 In the case where the baggage is to be taken out of the locker two days later, when the key is inserted into the key hole, the poles of the switches 17 and 20 are thrown over to their respective contacts NO. Under these conditions, when four coins, that is, the fee for a two-day use are inserted into the coin slot, the wiper 6 is moved by four steps to the contact 6 through the contacts 6 6 and 6 Accordingly, the wiper 8 of the rotary switch 8 is moved by two steps to the contact 8 thereby to provide the connection of the rotary switches 8 and 14. As a result, the magnetic coil 16 is energized, thereby enabling the key to be turned.

Under this condition, by turning the key the door of the coin-operated locker is opened to take the baggage out of the locker, and the capacitor 21 is discharged thereby to energize the coil 24. As a result, the wiper 14 of the rotary switch 14 is moved stepwise to the contact 14 and the locker thus becomes ready for the next user to put his baggage therein.

During a period when the coin-operated locker is not used, the pole of the switch 22 is thrown over to its contact NO due to the operation of the day-shifting timer. However, since the key is maintained turned, thereby throwing the pole of the switch 23 to the contact NO, the wiper 14 of the rotary switch 14 can- 7 not be moved.

In, the example of the coin locker shown in FIG. 1, therental charge for one day is two coins. For this purpose, the contacts 6 6 and 6 of the rotary switch 6 the contacts thus connected are connected to the coil 9, while the contacts 6 6 6,, and 6,, thereof are connected together and thus connected further to the relay 10. In the same manner, various connections of the contacts of the rotary switch 6 can be arranged for various rental charges of the coin-operated locker.

With reference now to FIGS. 2 and 3, there is shown another embodiment of the coin locker according to the present invention.

The control system shown in FIG. 2 comprises: a coin detector D; a first counter C, connected through a signal line I, to the coin detector D; a key-operationlocking device K connected to the first counter through signal lines l l and 1,; a second counter C connected to the key-operation-locking device; a time lapse detector T connected to the second counter C through an OR gate; and a one-operation completion detector E (or a detector detecting the completion of oneoperation of from locking to unlocking the locker) connected to the time lapse detector T through a signal line I, and to the OR gate through a signal line l The coin detector D serves to detect the insertion of coins into the coin slot thereby to produce detecting signals. The detecting signals thus produced are applied through the signal line I, to the first counter C, which serves to count the number of coins thus inserted into coin slot. The resulting counting output signals of the counter C, are introduced through the signal lines 1,, l and 1 to the key-operation-locking device, while counting output signals from the second counter C are applied through the signal lines 1 I and l, to the key-operation-locking device K. This key-operation locking device K is adapted to decide whether or not the output signals of the first and the second counter are applied correspondingly or coincidently thereto, and to enable the key to be turned for locking or unlocking the coin-operated locker only when the signals are coincidently available at the input of the key-operation-locking device. The one-operation completion detector E is a detector which detects the fact that one operation of the locker, that is, from locking to unlocking thereof has been completed, thereby to produce a detecting signal. This detecting signal is applied to the second counter through the line 1 so that the second counter carries out a step-by-step operation. signal The time lapse detector T is adapted to produce time lapse signals which are applied to the second counter C, so that the step-by-step operation is carried out therein during a period when the coin locker is locked by the key. As is described above, the second counter C receives the signals from both the one-operation completion detector E and the time lapse detector T so that the step-by-step operation is carried out in the second counter C,, while counting output signals from the counter C are applied to the key-operation locking device through the signals lines 1 I and 1,.

With reference now to FIG. 3, a concrete example of the circuit shown in FIG. 2 will be described.

When the power source Vcc of the coin locker is turned on, all of the control circuits thereof are reset by signals through resetting signal lines. In FIG. 3, a detecting switch SW, is operated by coins inserted the coin slot thereby to detect the insertion of the coins in the coin slot and to produce detecting signals. The detecting signals are introduced through signal lines 1 and 1, to a waveform shaping circuit W which comprises two AND gates Gw, and Gw, and an inverter 1,. An input of the AND gate Gw, is connected to the output of the AND gate Gw while an input of the AND gate Gw is connected to the output of the AND gate Gw,, and, furthermore, the output of the AND gate Gw, is connected to the inverter 1,. An output of the waveform shaping circuit is applied through a signal line 1, to a first counter C, which is a quinary counter whose unit is 25 cents.

Counting signals from the first counter are applied through a first decoder D, and signal lines L, through L to a group of AND gates G, through G The AND gates G, through G are connected through signal lines L and L, and a second decoder D to a second counter C, that is the same in construction as the first counter. In other words, each of the AND gates G, through G receives counting signals from the first and second counters C, and C When a quarter (ZS-cents) coin is inserted into the coin slot of the locker, the first counter C, delivers its counting signal through the signal line L, to the AND gate G while the second counter C, delivers a counting signal through the signal line L to the AND gate G The production of the counting signals from the second counter will be described later. As a result, the AND gate G is operated thereby to produce an output signal. The output signal of the AND gate G is introduced to an input terminal of an AND gate G, through an OR gate G connected to the outputs of the AND gates G, through G The other input terminal of the AND gate G, is connected through a signal line to a detecting switch SW which is adapted to detect the insertion and removal of the key thereby to produce a detecting signal. Therefore, when the key is inserted in the key hole, a detecting signal is produced by the detecting switch SW This signal from the detecting switch SW together with the signal from the OR gate G is applied to the AND gate G,, as a result of which an output signal is produced from the AND gate G The output signal thus produced is converted by an inverter 1 thereby to drive an electrical magnet device Mg which is provided with a switching transistor Tr and a diode d and is adapted to lock (or unlock) the key, as a result of which the key becomes turnable for locking the locker.

As soon as the key is turned to lock the locker, a detecting switch which is adapted to detect the turning of the key is activated thereby to ground its normallyclosed contact NC side. Consequently, an operating signal from the switch SW is fed to an input terminal of an AND gate G through a signal line and to an AND gate G through an inverter I When the key is turned and is then removed out of its key hole, the removal of the key is detected by the detecting switch SW and a detecting signal from the detecting switch SW is applied to the other input of the AND gate G through the signal line 1 and to the other input terminal of the AND gate 6,, through an inverter 1,. The AND gate G described above is adapted to feed a resetting signal to a memory M when the key is inserted in the key hole and then turned to move the pole of the switch SW to the normally-open contact NO side (or the unlocking side). In addition, the AND gate G is adapted to deliver a setting signal to the memory M when the key is turned thereby to move the pole of the switch SW to the normally-closed contact NC side (or the locking side) and then the detecting switch SW is actuated by the removal of the key.

As is apparent from the above description, when the key is removed from the key hole after having been turned to the locking side, the resetting signal of the AND gate G is eliminated and the memory M is set by the setting signal of the AND gate G whereby the operation of turning and removing the key is stored in the memory M. As a result, the memory M produces an output signal due to the storing of the locking condition (hereinafter referred to as a locking signal). The locking signal is introduced to an AND gate G through a signal line The AND gate G delivers a time-lapse signal of a timer T through an OR gate G to the input terminal of the second counter C with the locking signal being applied to the AND gate G When the memory M is set to the conditions of unlocking the locker, a signal indicating the completion of one-operation (from locking to unlocking) of the locker, namely, a one-operation-completing signal is introduced through a signal line a pulse generating circuit P comprising inverters I and I a resistor and a capacitor, and the OR gate G to the input of the counter C by the memory M. The second counter C receives as a counting signal the above-described timelapse signal or one-operation-completing signal thereby to carry out its step-by-step operation.

In the case when the coin locker is unlocked, the circuit shown in FIG. 3 will operate as follows: when the same count as that in the case of locking the coin locker is stored in the second counter C the detecting switch SW is operated by the insertion of the key thereby to produce a detecting signal. This detecting signal is applied through the signal line to the AND gate 6,. As a result, the AND gate G produces an output signal which enables the key to be turned. The keyturning operation unlocks the coin locker and is at the same time detected by the detecting switch SW which is adapted to detect the turning of the key thereby to produce a detecting signal. The detecting signal produced from the detecting switch SW is applied through the signal line to the AND gate G Consequently, the AND gate G produces a resetting signal, which is applied to the memory M so as to reset the memory M. When the memory M is reset, the memory M produces its output signal. This output signal is applied through the signal line 1 to the pulse generating circuit P, which generates a pulse signal for step-bystep operation only when the memory M is reset. The pulse signal for step-by-step operation is applied through the OR gate G to the second counter C whereby the circuit becomes ready for the next locking operation.

In the case when the step-by-step operation of the second counter C is being carried out' during a period when the coin locker is locked, the key-turning operation described above is prohibited by a key-locking means, but when the step-bystep operation of the counter C is advanced by the insertion of coins to a count corresponding to that of the second counter C the AND gate G produce a signal which enables the key to be turned, as a result of which thecoin locker can be unlocked.

According to the present invention, a counting value of the time lapse counter which is referred to that of the coin counter is always in advance of the latter counting value. Only when both counting values becomes coincident with each other can the coin locker be locked or unlocked by the key. Furthermore, since the time lapse counter is advanced by one step with the aid of oneoperation completing signal, the coin locker becomes ready for next use without the resetting both of the counters. Therefore, it is not necessary at all to provide a special means which restores the circuit of the coin locker to its initial or original conditions. In addition, the circuit according to the present invention is relatively simple in construction and is therefore free from erroneous operations or troubles.

While a few embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described in detail, it is particularly understood that the invention is not limited thereto or thereby.

We claim:

1. A control system of a coin-operated locker, said system comprising:

coin detector means for detecting the insertion of coins into a coin inlet slot of the coin-operated locker;

first counter means for counting the number of coins detected by said coin detector means;

2. A control system of a coin-operated locker as claimed in claim 1 which further comprises:

a plurality of AND gates receiving counting output signals of said first counter means and counting output signals of said second counter means and operated by the logical sums of the counting output signals of the first counter means and the counting output signals of the second counter means thereby to produce output signals therefrom; and

an OR gate operated by the logical sum of the output signals from the AND gates thereby to produce output signals permitting the key of the coinoperated locker to be turned for locking and unlocking the coin-operated locker.

3. A control system of a coin-operated locker as claimed in claim 1 in which said first and second counter means comprise rotary switches, respectively, count terminals of the rotary type switches being connected correspondingly to one another, and the combination of the first and second counter means are connected in series to an electromagnetic means which enables the key of the coin-operated locker to be turned for locking and unlocking the coin-operated locker.

4. A control system of a coin-operated locker as claimed in claim 1 which further comprises detecting means for detecting the completion of one operation of the coin-operated locker from locking the coin-operated locker to unlocking the same, said detecting means comprises:

a first gate means for producing a setting signal by receiving both a signal of detection of a keytuming operation for locking the coin-operated locker and a signal of detection of a keyremoving operation after locking of the coinoperated locker;

9 10 a seond gate means for producing a resetting signal when the bistable memory is changed from its by receiving both a signal of detection of a keysetting conditions to its resetting conditions. inserting operation and a signal of detection of a 5. A control system of a coin-operated locker as key-turning operation for unlocking the coinclaimed in claim 1, wherein said locking and unlocking operated locker; 5 detector means comprises a switch for detecting a keya bistable memory which flip-flops by receiving turning operation and a switch for detecting the insereach of the setting and resetting signals, and a tion and removal of the key. pulse generating device which generates pulses 

1. A control system of a coin-operated locker, said system comprising: coin detector means for detecting the insertion of coins into a coin inlet slot of the coin-operated locker; first counter means for counting the number of coins detected by said coin detector means;
 2. A control system of a coin-operated locker as claimed in claim 1 which further comprises: a plurality of AND gates receiving counting output signals of said first counter means and counting output signals of said second counter means and operated by the logical sums of the counting output signals of the first counter means and the counting output signals of the second counter means thereby to produce output signals therefrom; and an OR gate operated by the logical sum of the output signals from the AND gates thereby to produce output signals permitting the key of the coin-operated locker to be turned for locking and unlocking the coin-operated locker.
 3. A control system of a coin-operated locker as claimed in claim 1 in which said first and second counter means comprise rotary switches, respectively, count terminals of the rotary type switches being connected correspondingly to one another, and the combination of the first and second counter means are connected in series to an electromagnetic means which enables the key of the coin-operated locker to be turned for locking and unlocking the coin-operated locker.
 4. A control system of a coin-operated locker as claimed in claim 1 which further comprises detecting means for detecting the completion of one operation of the coin-operated locker from locking the coin-operated locker to unlocking the same, said detecting means comprises: a first gate means for producing a setting signal by receiving both a signal of detection of a key-turning operation for locking the coin-operated locker and a signal of detection of a key-removing operation after locking of the coin-operated locker; a seond gate means for producing a resetting signal by receiving both a signal of detection of a key-inserting operation and a signal of detection of a key-turning operation for unlocking the coin-operated locker; a bistable memory which flip-flops by receiving each of the setting and resetting signals, and a pulse generating device which generates pulses when the bistable memory is changed from its setting conditions to its resetting conditions.
 5. A control system of a coin-operated locker as claimed in claim 1, wherein said locking and unlocking detector means comprises a switch for detecting a key-turning operation and a switch for detecting the insertion and removal of the key. 